Grand Rapids Reporter

The bipartisan budget that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed marks the biggest per-student investment in the history of the state.

The budget earmarks half a billion dollars in school infrastructure, enhances school safety, provides money to recruit and extends mental health assets, a recent press release from the governor’s office said. 

"Gov. Whitmer has worked effectively with the legislature and came through for students and educators, this time with a strong budget that represents the largest per-pupil investment in our state’s history,” David Hecker, president of the American Federation of Teachers Michigan, said in the release. "The increase in support for at-risk and special education students is critical, as it will better position schools to set vulnerable kids up for success. The move to further invest in both career and technical education and colleges and universities also reaffirms the governor’s commitment to strengthening our economy and ensuring Michigan students have options for their future.”

Every student will get $9,150 in funding, along with $214 for mental health resources; the release said. The budget will also supply grants to help 200,000 special education and 710,000 at-risk students. The funds will provide 1,300 additional free preschool slots in the Great Start Readiness Program and $250 million for school infrastructure.

“Every kid in every district deserves to feel safe and supported in school, and I am proud today to sign a historic, bipartisan education budget that will make game-changing investments to improve every student’s in-class experience,” Whitmer said in the release. “The budget makes the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history to help schools buy new textbooks, offer more personalized instruction, and bolster AP and honors classes. It also bolsters resources for special education, at-risk funding, and career and technical education while expanding slots in free after-school and preschool programs.”

Whitmer added that the budget was designed to improve the campus experience of all parties involved in the education system.

“On behalf of MEA's 120,000 members from across the state, we would like to thank Gov. Whitmer for listening to the voices of educators and taking our expertise to heart in developing this transformative education budget,” Paula Herbart, president of the Michigan Education Association and a veteran teacher from Macomb County, said in the release.

Herbart also noted that the new budget seeks to answer critical hurdles that are common among state schools while funding a quality education for students.